Peter MacKay cites 'love for my family' as he bows out of federal politics

After nearly 20 years in federal politics, Justice MinisterPeter MacKaywill step downthis fall tofocuson his "young and growingfamily."

WithPrime Minister Stephen Harper at his sideinStellarton, N.S., MacKay announced Friday he will not seek re-election, but will stay on as justice minister and MP for Nova Scotia's Central Nova riding until October. MacKay said he does not have anotherjob lined up, nor has he been approached with an offer.

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"My love of this job and all it entails remains strong, but the love for my family is stronger," he said.

In2012, MacKay married Iranian-Canadian human rights activistNazaninAfshin-Jam. In 2013, the couple welcomed their first son,Kian, andareexpecting theirsecond child, adaughter, this fall.

"The greatest gift of public life, it has been said, is the people that you meet and associate with. And for me, greater still, is the knowledge that it was through this public life that I met and marriedNazanin, the love of my life."

Calling it a "bittersweet day," MacKay said,"part of me regrets that I will not be in the fray" of the next federal election but"simply put, I love my family more."

In introducing MacKay, Harper said he had "a mixture of tremendous pride and more than just a little bit of sorrow." He called MacKay an "outstanding public servant," a "great person" and a "historic figure."

MacKay's decision to serve until the writ drops saves Harper from yet another cabinet shuffle to fill a departing minister's gap. But it carves a hole in the Conservative re-election game plan.

Viewed as the unofficial leader of the more centrist, former Progressive Conservative wing of Harper's caucus, his pedigree as the son of a Brian Mulroney confidante and stature as Harper's senior player in Atlantic Canada gave him influence few others have had with the prime minister.

Senior ministers and MPs told CBC News on Friday thatMacKaycaught them off-guard.

"We'll miss him," Revenue Minister Kerry-Lynne Findlay said on her way into question period Friday. Tory Bob Dechertcalled him a "modern founder of Confederation" for the way he helped bringthe Conservative Party together.

Caucus colleague Paul Calandra was one of severalwho said he thought MacKay had made the right decision for his young family.

Following Baird's lead?

The leaders of both the NDP and the Liberals wished MacKay well. Justin Trudeau said that as a father of young children himselfhe understood the decision.

"Turns out Peter MacKay is also ready for change," TomMulcairsaid at a speech in Toronto. "Alot of people seem to be leaving Stephen Harper's ship these days."

• Peter MacKay just the latest loss for federal Conservatives

But MacKay emphasized he wasstepping down "for entirely personal reasons."

"I'm not jumping ship," MacKay said, adding that he was open to any role supporting Harper and the Conservative Party in the upcoming election.

Life after politics for apolitician with his experience and contacts often includes interestingprivate-sector offersor leadership in high-profile national or international public institutions. MacKay said it would be "disingenuous" to rule out a return to politics at a later date but emphasized,"it's really not in my immediate or long-term plans."

As far back as2009, MacKay was touted as a possible contender for secretary general of the NATO military alliance.

But earlier this spring, MacKay dismissed suggestions that he could follow former cabinet colleagueJohn Baird off the political battlefield and into a lucrative and perhaps more family-friendlysecond career.

"I filed my nomination papers, so I'm underway," MacKaytold reporters in February.

MacKaywon his riding with comfortable margins in past elections.The Liberal party confirmed Friday that their candidate in Central Nova, David MacLeod, hasresigned "for personal reasons,"leaving both parties without a candidate in the now-open seat.

• Central Nova's Liberal candidate David MacLeod withdraws from race
• Analysis: Liberal lead in Atlantic Canada still wide, but shrinking

Political roots, controversial shoots

MacKay, 49,was a Crown attorney before he wasfirst elected in 1997. Hehas held several senior cabinet positions since the Conservativestook power in 2006, including foreign affairs anddefence.

MacKay also served as the last leader of the now-defunct Progressive Conservative Party, and was a key player in the negotiations that led to the 2003 merger with the Canadian Alliance that created the current Conservative Party. The merger was seenby some in his former party as a betrayal of a deal he signed with leadership rivalDavid Orchard not to run joint candidates with Harper's party.

Harper described that merger as a "willingness to compromise" as he spoke ahead of MacKay's announcement on Friday.

"That moment in October2003 changed without a shadow of a doubt the course of Canadian politics," Harper said.

PM Harper lauds 'historic figure' Peter MacKay

9 years ago

Duration 13:39

Prime Minister Stephen delivered a warm, at times funny, tribute before Justice Minister Peter MacKay announced his future plans - with a brief interruption by MacKay's son Kian.

His relationship with another leadership rival from his home province, Scott Brison, soured further when Brison left the party to run as a Liberal.

Once voted the "sexiest MP" in a survey by The Hill Times, hispersonal relationship with another former Tory leadership contender, Belinda Stronach, generatedboth headlines and gossip fodderwhen she famously crossed the floor and joined Paul Martin's struggling minority Liberal government in 2005.

MacKay retreated to his father's farm in Nova Scotia and famously quipped that at least the dog he now had for company was loyal, although it was later pointed out that the dog was not his.

A subsequent dog comment about Stronach off-mic in the House of Commons was not thelasttime he was accused of disrespectingwomen.

As defence minister, the athleticMacKay was often seen participating inactive, hands-on eventswith the Canadian military, including being putthrough basic training for a CBC reality program.

But in another infamous controversy, MacKay was once picked up by a military helicopter from a personal vacation"under the guise" of search and rescue training.

MPs wish MacKay well

9 years ago

Duration 2:29

MPs Bob Dechert, Irwin Cotler, Tony Clement and Paul Dewar react to news Friday that Peter MacKay will not seek re-election this fall.

MacKay's father, Elmer MacKay, served as a cabinet minister under Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.

"I havebeenonthe receiving end of politics for a long time," MacKaysaid.

Early in his career, Peter MacKayworked for Thyssen Industries, an arms manufacturerlobbyist KarlheinzSchreiber a friend of his father's once represented in abid to get a light-armoured vehiclesplant in Nova Scotia.

He later saidhe did not know who Schreiberwas at the time he took the job,and told reporters he became "leery" and warned his father to steer clear of the Airbus lobbyist.